Michael Kris, EdD, Head of Middle School at Trinity Valley School

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Character

It’s never easy to say goodbye. And to some extent, I have dreaded crafting my last Notes from The Middle at Trinity Valley School. But here goes… One aspect of Trinity Valley School that I have treasured is the guiding principle that each individual matters. We respect each person’s individuality, and this makes our community stronger. There is a story that

Recently, middle school parents have had the opportunity to attend two forums related to teens’ digital safety and online behavior: a visit from the district attorney and a screening of Screenagers. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of technology and how it lets us connect, collaborate, and create. The last thing I would want is for parents and

At some point during your child’s middle school years, you reach a tremendous milestone: You become the parents of a teenager. It’s a watershed moment that sometimes earns you sympathy and advice from other parents who have “been-there-done-that” – and comments such as “Hang on tight! You are in for a wild ride!” It’s no secret that teenagers deal with

Middle school students no longer cart in Valentine’s boxes covered in glitter and paper hearts on February 14. But they still get to join in on the Valentine’s Day fun! This February, our sixth and eighth grade advisory groups will embrace the Great Kindness Challenge by showering our lower school students with kindness in several creative ways. Sixth Grade Advisory

Each night at dinner, my family and I share one thing that we feel thankful for and place a stone in our “Thankful Jar.” It’s a tradition that we started because of robust research around the benefits of gratitude. As I described last November, it turns out that thankfulness is really good for you. This year, as we approach Thanksgiving,

A few weeks ago, Dr. Wood, one of our eighth grade Humanities teachers, spoke to middle school students about a community ritual known as The Tolling of the Bells — a time when students gather in the center of our campus and remember the passing of a member of our community. “There is value,” he said, “in remembering.” Next week, the

This week, I’m delighted to share some thoughts from Mr. Satish Tiwari, our dedicated Mathcounts sponsor who has helped so many of our students pursue their passion for mathematics over the last nine years. Mathcounts Club allows interested students to dive into the world of competitive mathematics – and gain some valuable lessons in problem-solving, teamwork, and character. After school,